Track bracket



J ne 19, 1934. w. A. BEAUCHAMP 1,963,821

TRACK BRACKET Filed July 20, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet l "f/VL/EN TOE" MLF'EED 7. fieflucHeMp June 19, 1934. w. A. BEAUCHAMP TRACK BRACKET Filed July 20 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 O M "u i Hf o if 3 a 4 o 4 5 W 5 4 2 9 2 W 5 2 0 I 2 8 5 1 4 3 I I 5 .M 4/ NJ 4 I. Y i, \\\\\\\\\\\A\\\\\\\\\\ A Q 6 N June 19, 1934. A BEA HA P 1,963,821

TRACK BRACKET Filed July 20, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented June 19, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRACK BRACKET Wilfred A. Beauchamp, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Camel Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois This invention relates to track brackets and concerns itself primarily with brackets for securing tracks for sliding doors of railway house cars in position without the use of rivets or the like.

A considerable part of the cost of application of car fixtures for sliding car doors may be attributed to the expense involved in supporting the tracks for said doors upon the car underframe. For such support brackets are usually employed, these brackets being riveted to the side sills of the car underframe and the track being riveted to the brackets. The expense entailed in the operation of riveting the track to the brackets is material. The employment of supporting brackets which obviate this operation appears highly desirable and conducive of economies which measurably reduce the cost of car construction.

It is an object of this invention to provide track supporting brackets which eliminate in a large measure the necessity of riveting said track to the brackets and the expense incident thereto.

A further object is the provision of track brackets which, while obviating riveting of the track thereto, provide secure support for said track.

An object is the provision of track supporting brackets with which a track may be readily and simply assembled.

It is an object to provide track supporting brackets in which the assembly with the track isjcompleted by the riveting operation which secures the brackets to the side sills.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds.

' In the drawings Figure 1 is a partial elevation of a house car showing one embodiment of the invention applied thereto.

T Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1, the lower portion of a door and a supporting hanger being shown in dot and dash lines to indicate the relationship thereof with the track.

' Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4- of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken on line 5- of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a vertical section showing a modified form of the invention.

Figure 7 is a front elevational detail of one member of the bracket shown in Figure 6.

' Figure 8 is a front elevational detail of a complementary member of the bracket shown in Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a vertical section of another modification of the invention.

Figure 10 is an elevational view similar to Figure 7 of one member of the bracket shown in Figure 9.

Figure 11 is an elevational view similar to Figure 8 of a complementary member of .the bracket shown in'Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a vertical section of a further modification of the invention.

Figure 13 is a horizontal section of a modification of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 1, whereby rivets securing the track to the end brackets may also be dispensed with. V

Figure 14 is a horizontal section taken on line 14-14 of Figure 13.

Figure 15 is an elevation of another modification of the invention.

Figure 16 is avertical section taken on line 16-16 of Figure 15, the lower portion of a door and a hanger being shown in dot and dash lines to indicate their relationship with the track.

In the drawings the numeral 10 designates a fragmentary portion of ahouse car which embodies a side sill 11 providing support for a floor 12 used in the car. A track 13 is adapted to be supported upon the side sill 11 by means of a plurality of brackets 14, 14. The track is utilized to support a sliding door, shown partially in dot and dash lines in Figure 2 of the drawings, cus-' tomarily employed upon' each of the sides of a house car. T

In this embodiment of the invention the track supporting brackets 14 include a vertical'attaching portion 15 which is secured to the side sill 11 by means of a plurality of rivets 16. These brackets may be'deemed to constitute a base portion 1'7 extending outwardly substantially at right angles to the attaching portion 15. Extending upwardly from the base portion 17 is an outer arm 18 and a spaced inner arm 19. The inner arm is preferably angular in section and comprises a horizontal flange 20 spaced from the base portion 1'7 of the bracket. By this construction the spaced upwardly extending arms 18 and 19 present a substantially vertically and horizontally extending recess, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear. The outer arm 18 is provided with an outwardly extending flange 21 serving as a support for the track 13. One end of the horizontally extending recess provided between the base por tion 17 and the horizontalflange 20 of the inner arm 19 is open while the opposite end. thereof is preferably closed by means of a rib 22 extending from the edge of said arm preferably to the base portion 17 of the bracket. This rib provides an abutment for a purpose hereinafter indicated. It is observed that the flange 20 of the inner arm tapers downwardly from the open end of the substantially horizontal recess toward the closed end of said recess as indicated at 22' in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings.

The track which is adapted to be supported by the brackets 14 embodies a substantially vertical flange 23 and a substantially horizontal flange 24 extending therefrom. As clearly appears in Figure 3 of the drawings the horizontal flange 241s coped or cut out as indicated at 25 at intervals corresponding substantially with the spacing between adjacent brackets. The track 13 is additionally provided with a tread portion 26 and preferably with a downwardly extending flange 27.

End brackets 14 may be utilized, these brackets being substantially identical with the intermediate-brackets 1'4, with the'exception that the flange 21 extending from the outer arm of each of the end brackets is projected a distance sufficient to permit, where desired, riveting of the track 13 to the end brackets. This construction is clearly shown in Figure 5 of the drawings.

In the assembly of the. track and track brackets with the side sill, the end brackets may be positioned on the ends of the tracks by extending the inner arms of said brackets through corresponding copes in the flange 24. of the track and then sliding the end brackets relative to the track. whereby the horizontal flange '24 will beengaged under the substantially horizontal flanges 20 of the inner arms provided on the track brackets. this position of the end brackets rivets may be employed as clearly shown in Figure 1 of. the drawings to maintain the brackets relative to the track. If desired the brackets 14 may. in similar fashion-be assembled with the track "and then the track, together with the assembled brackets, rivete'ol to-the side sill. It may, on--oc- 'casion, be foundpreferable to first rivet the end brackets-after assembly with the track to the side sill, whereupon the brackets 14 may-be assembledwiththetrack by the insertionin an upward direction of the inner arms of said brackets through-the coped portions 25 of the-flange 2-4 of thetrack and by horizontal movement of said brackets effecting engagement between the flange '20 on the. inner arms with the flange 24 on the track. The brackets 14 may then be riveted to the side sill. By either of these modes of assembly it will :be apparent that as relative horizontal sliding movement between the brackets and the track is had-the taperedportion of the flange 20 of. each bracket will engage the flange 24 of the "track and exert a downwardpressure upon said flange during such relative horizontal movement.

- This. pressure in turn will bring the tread 26 of the. track 'down upon the horizontal flanges 21 and 21 of, the brackets so that said track will be solidly supported by said flanges 21 and 21. It will be apparent, inasmuch as the track is initially placed upon the brackets with the tread thereof in contact with the arm .18, that upon subsequent relative movement between thetrack and the brackets and in view of the engagement of the-flange 24 with the tapered track flanges 22., the taper of said latter flanges will cause a downward pressure to be exerted upon the track flange 24. Moreover, any tendency of-the track to tilt toward the left as viewed in Figure 2 of the drawings during the assembly, which might tend to disturb the engagement of the tread with the flanges 21 and 21 and the proper horizontal position of said tread is obviated by the engagement between the upper end of the inner arm 19 with the track adjacent the tread thereof. During the relative horizontal movement between the track and the track brackets one margin of the recesses in the flange 24 provided by the coping operation thereof, will preferably abut against the rib 22 provided on the brackets, thereby limiting such relative movement. When the brackets have been secured to the side sill it is evident that the rib 22 provides a fixed abutment preventing creeping of the track in one direction. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1 the rivets securing the track to the end brackets 14' prevent creeping of the track in the opposite direction. It is to be understood that these rivets are wholly optional and that the means hereinafter described and used in the construction shown in Figure 13 may be employed to perform the function of said rivets. By this construction it is'believed to be manifest'that the track'issecurely retained by the track brackets and that all movement thereof, either vertically orhorizontally, is prevented.

A modification of the invention is illustrated in Figures 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings. In this modification the track 13 is maintained in its position relative to the side sill 11 :bymeans of aplur rality of brackets 30 riveted to the side silland complementary arm member 31. The bracket-30 comprises a base portion 32 and attaching flange '33 through which it is secured to the side sill, and an upwardly extending arm 34 rising preferably from the base portion. Extending inwardly from said arm is a lug-35, .theundersurface of which, as clearly appears in Figure 6 of the drawings, is downwardly and outwardly inclined. The com- 'plementary arm member 31 is provided with a recessed portion 36 which presents a projection 37 underlying and contacting with the lug 3'5 provided on the arm 34 anda ledge 38. In the operative position of the bracket with its complementary arm member there is provided; between the arm 34' of said bracket and said arm member a vertically and horizontally extending recess 39. The vertical flange 23 and the substantiallyhorizontal flange 24 of the track 13 are adapted to be positioned in the recess provided by the bracket arm and the arm member with the horizontal flange 24 underlying and contacting'the ledge '38 formed on the arm member;

In supporting the track 13 by the structuredlustrated in Figures 6 to 8, inclusive, the bracket, the arm member and thetrack are assembled with the vertical flange and horizontal flange 'of'a track member positioned in the vertically and horizontally extending recess formed between the arm of the bracket and the arm member and with the lug on thearm of'the bracket and the projection formed on the arm member in overlapping contacting relationship. With this assembly of a track, track brackets 'and'arm members-the construction is applied to a sill and the track brackets riveted thereto. In the operation of riveting of the track brackets it is apparent'that the cooperating inclined faces provided on the lug 35 and the projection 37 will produce a downward movement of the arm member 31 and so tend to draw the track tightly down upon the i.

Figures 9 to 11, inclusive, is substantially similar to that shown in Figures 6 to 8, inclusive. In this embodiment of the invention the arm member 41 is preferably of inverted T-shape. The bracket 42 utilized with the arm member 41 is provided with a base portion 43 recessed as indicated at 44. On opposite sides of this recess the bracket 42 is provided with the overhangs 45 and 46. Extending upwardly from the base 43 0f the bracket is an arm 47 at the upper portion of which an outwardly extending flange 48 is provided. The bracket 42 may be secured to the side sill 11 by means of rivets extending through the attaching flange 49. The arm 41 is provided with a ledge 50 spaced from the base portion 43 of the bracket. The complementary arm member 41 is spaced, furthermore, from the upwardly extending arm 4'7 of the bracket. By this construction there is provided a vertically and horizontally extending recess 51 adapted to receive the vertical flange 23 and the substantially horizontal flange 24 of the track 13.

In the assembly of the elements of this embodiment the track is positioned between the brackets and arm members with the vertical flange 23 and the horizontal flange 24 positioned within the vertically and horizontally extending recesses provided between the arms of the bracket and the arm members. The arm members extend into the recesses 44 provided in the base portions 43 of the brackets and oppositely extending flanges 52 and 53 provided on the complementary arm members are adapted to engage under the overhangs 45 and 46 provided on the brackets. It is to be observed that the overhangs 45 and 46, as well as the flanges 52 and 53, are provided with corresponding downwardly and outwardly tapered surfaces. As a result of this construction when the brackets are riveted after assembly to the side sill the riveting operation produces a downward movement of the complementary arm members 41 which, in turn, effects engagement between the ledge 50 of said arm members and the substantially horizontal flange 24 of the track. This engagement exerts a downward pressure upon the track member and insures proper seating of the tread 26 of the track upon the horizontal flanges 48 extending from the arms 4'7 of the brackets; It is apparent that with this assembly and attachment to the side sill the track 13 will be firmly and securely maintained in position relative to the side sill without possibility of movement of the track relative to the sill.

A further modification of the invention is illustrated in Figure 12 of the drawings. In this construction a preferably unitary track bracket is employed. Track bracket 55 is provided with a base portion 56 and an attaching flange 5'7 and extending upwardly from the base portion in spaced relation is a plurality of arms 58 and 59. The arm 58 is provided with a horizontally extending ledge 60 positioned in spaced relation to the base portion 56 of the bracket. By this construction a substantially vertically and horizontally extending recess 61 is formed between the upwardly extending arms 58 and 59. A track 13 provided with a downwardly extending flange 23 and a horizontally extending flange 24' is adapted to be supported upon a plurality of brackets 55.

In the assembling of the track 13' with said brackets the track is positioned in angular relationship with said brackets permitting the insertion of the flange 24' into the recess 61 formed between the upwardly extending arms as indicated in dot and dash line in Figure 12. The track is then turned to horizontal position whereby the flange 24 will engage under the ledge 60 provided on the arm 58 of the bracket and the tread 26' of the track will be supported upon the upwardly extending arm 59. If desired the track may be secured to end brackets by means of rivets in the manner indicated in Figure 1 of the drawings. In this modification, as with those heretofore described, the track will be firmly held in position by the track brackets.

In Figure 13 ofthe drawings there is disclosed a modification of the track bracket whereby assembly of a track may be had and maintenance of said track in fixed position relative to the brackets secured without the aid of rivets or other securing means. In this construction the track bracket 62 is substantially similarto the bracket 14 illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings, with the exception that the abutment rib 63 is presented on the opposite side from the abutment rib 22. In addition to the bracket 62 there is also employed brackets 14 substantially the same as those utilized in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, of the drawings. This track bracket is provided with an abutment rib 22.

In the assembly of the track 13 with the brackets 14 and 62 one bracket 62 may be slipped on to the left end of the track while the bracket 14 may be slipped on the right hand end of the track until said ends abut their corresponding ribs 63 and 22, respectively. In the position of the brackets the'flange 24 will underlie the respective inner arms 64 and 19 of the brackets 62 and 14. These brackets may then be riveted to the side sill 11. Other intermediate brackets 62 and 14 may then be inserted through the coped portions 25 formed in the horizontal flange 24 of the track, moved to overlapping position with said horizontal flange and subsequently riveted to the side sill. It is apparent that by the positioning of the abutting ribs 63 and 22 in the manner shown horizontal movement of the track in either direction parallel to the sill is prevented. As in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, of the drawings the tread 26 of the track 13 liesdirectly upon thehorizontal flange 21 of the brackets 14 and the horizontal flange of the brackets 62.

In Figures 15 and 16 of the drawings there is illustrated an embodiment of the invention which utilizes a substantially T-shaped track rather than the substantially channelled shaped track of the previous forms of the invention. This track includes a head portion '71 positioned horizontally. Extending from the head portion and at right angles thereto is a stem portion '72, the lower end of which is bent to provide a substantially horizontal flange '73. This flange is coped at intervals for a purpose hereinafter set forth. The stem of the substantially T-shaped track is illustrated as offset from the center of the head portion '71, but it is to be understood that said stem may depend centrally from the head portion. It is desired only that the head portion project beyond both sides of the stem of the track.

In order to support the track '70 upon the side sill 11 a plurality of brackets '74 and '75 is utilized. One of each of said brackets is shown in Figure 15 of the drawings. As in the previous embodiments of the invention each of the brackets '74 comprises an attaching flange '76 by which,

through the agency of the rivets .16, 16, it is secured to the side sill.

A base portion 77 depends from the flange 76 and extending upwardly from said base portion is a plurality ofspaced arms 78 and 79. Each of these arms is provided with a flange at its upper margin, extending substantially at right angles to the main portion of the arm and in opposite directions to underlie the headportion of the track and form supports therefor. The arm 78 adjacent its, juncture with the base 77 of the bracket extends in substantially horizontal and. spaced relationship to the base providing a recess 80 adapted to receive the flange 73 formed on the lower margin of the stem of the track. A rib 81 formed at one side or the arm 78 extends-across the horizontal recess =80 stantially equal to the spacing of the track brackets.

The mode of assembly of the track '70 withthe brackets '74 and is the same as the described manner of assembly of the embodiment o-f-the invention shown in Figures 13 and 14. After assembly, the ribs 81 and 82 effectively prevent creeping of the track in a horizontal direction. It is observed that with this track and bracket structure of this form of the invention support is provided'for the head portion of the track on opposite sides .of the stem so as to insurenot only firm. support for the track but a gauge by which proper seating of the track in the brackets may be measured. Furthermore, allxpossibility of distortion of the track is thus avoided.

Numerous changes and modifications in the deta-ils'of the various embodiments of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is deemed that all such modifications and changes are comprehended within this invention, which is to be limited only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In combination, a plurality of track supporting brackets, each of said-brackets comprising an attaching flange, abase portion and spaced inner and outer arms extending from said base portion, said inner arm including a flange spaced from said base portion, a track supported by said brackets, said track lying in the space between said arms and having a plurality of spaced substantially horizontal flanges lying under the flanges of said inner arms, one edge of each of said track flanges engaging an abutment extending from the base portion of each of said brackets to prevent longitudinal movement of said track in one direction and means preventing longitudinal movement of said track in the opposite direction.v

'2. In combination, a plurality of tracksupporting-brackets, each of said brackets being provided with a downwardly and inwardly extending recess anda flange closing one end of the inwardy extending portions of said recess, a track supported'by said brackets, said track having a downwardly extending flange and aplurality of spaced inwardly extending flanges positioned in said recesses, said spaced inwardly extending flanges adapted for abutment against said of said track in the opposite direction.

, 3. In combination, a plurality of track supporting brackets, each of said brackets having a downwardly and inwardly extending recess, a

track supported by said brackets, said track having a downwardly extendingflange and a plurality of spaced inwardly extending flanges positioned in said recesses and means preventing longitudinal movement of said track, said means comprising abutments provided on said brackets engaging said spaced inwardly extending flanges.

4. In combination, a plurality of track supporting-brackets, each of said brackets comprising spaced arms providing a downwardly and in- .wardly extending recess, a track having a down- -wardly and an inwardly extending flange, said latter flange being coped for a distance substantially equal to the width of said inner arms at intervals substantially equal to the spacing of said brackets, whereby said track may be positioned with a downwardly extending flange seated in said downwardly extending recesses and said inner arms extending through corresponding copes in said inwardly extending flange and locked with said brackets by relative sliding movement and means preventing longitudinal movement of said tr ck.

5. In combination, a plurality of track support- ;ing brackets, each of said brackets comprising a base and spaced arms, one of said arms includingua sloping flange spaced from said base and a vertical flange extending upwardly from said sloping flange, andf orming, with said other-arm,

a downwardly and inwardly extending recess and ing brackets, each of said brackets-comprising a base and spaced arms, one of said arms including asloping flange spaced from said base and a vertical flange providing, with said other flange, a vertically and substantially horizontally extending recess, and a track having a vertical flange and a plurality of spaced horizontal flanges seated in said recesses, the spacing of said horizontal track flanges being substantially equal to the width of said one arm, whereby said track and said brackets may be assembled by a relative slid.- ing movement, said track being disposed upon said other arm-and said sloping flanges engaging and exerting a downward pressure upon said spaced horizontal track flanges during said movement.

7, In combination, a pluralityof track supporting brackets, each of said brackets comprising a pair of spaced upwardly extending armsproviding a vertical and horizontal recess, a substantially horizontal flange formed at the upper mar,- -gin of each of said arms, a track having oppositely extending. horizontal flanges forming the tread of said track supported upon said flrst mentioned flanges and a vertical flange'extending into the vertical recesses in said brackets, said vertical flange being formed with a horizontal portion extending into each of said horizontal recesses and interlocking therein with said brackets.

.8. In combination, a plurality of track supportwardly and laterally extending recess, a track supported by said brackets, said track having a downwardly extending flange and a plurality of spaced laterally extending flanges positioned in said recesses and means preventing longitudinal movement of said track, said means comprising abutments provided on said brackets engaging said spaced laterally extending flanges.

9. In combination, a plurality of track supporting brackets disposed intermediate the ends of a track supported upon said brackets, each of said brackets having a downwardly and laterally extending recess said track having a downwardly extending flange and a plurality of spaced laterally extending flanges positioned in said recesses and means preventing longitudinal movement of said track, said means comprising abutments provided on certain of said brackets engaging certain of said spaced flanges for preventing longitudinal movement of said track in one direction and abutments provided on other brackets engaging other spaced flanges for preventing longitudinal movement in the opposite direction.

10. In combination, a plurality of track supporting brackets, each of said brackets having a downwardly and laterally extending recess, a track supported by said brackets, said track having a downwardly extending flange and a plurality of spaced laterally extending flanges positioned in said recesses, said track being engaged with said brackets by a relatively longitudinal movement, said brackets having longitudinal tapered flanges engaging upon said spaced flanges during said movement, whereby said track is flrmly supported upon said brackets.

11. In combination, a plurality of track supporting brackets, a track, said track having a substantially vertical flange interlocked with said brackets for support thereby, substantially horizontally disposed flanges extending in opposite directions from said vertical flange and forming the tread of said track, said brackets having means abutting the underside of said horizontal flanges for supporting said flanges.

12. In combination, a, plurality of intermediate supporting brackets, each of said brackets having a downwardly and laterally extending recess and a longitudinally tapered flange, a track supported by said brackets, said track having a downwardly extending flange and a plurality of spaced laterally extending flanges positioned in said recesses, said track being assembled with said brackets with the portions of said downwardly extending flange lying between said laterally extending flanges disposed in said downwardly extending portion of said recesses and engaged with said brackets by relative longitudinal movement to bring said spaced laterally extending flanges into engagement with said longitudinally tapered bracket flanges.

13. In combination, a plurality of intermediate supporting brackets, each of said brackets having a downwardly and laterally extending recess and a longitudinally tapered flange, a track supported by said brackets, said track having a downwardly extending flange and a plurality of 1011 spaced laterally extending flanges positioned in said recesses, said track being assembled with said brackets with the portions of said downwardly extending flange lying between said laterally extending flanges disposed in said down- 105 wardly extending portion of said recesses and engaged with said brackets by relative longitudinal movement to bring said spaced laterally extending flanges into engagement with said longitudinally tapered bracket flanges and integral. 110 abutments provided on said brackets abutting said laterally spaced flanges to prevent longitudinal movement of said track in both directions when said brackets are secured to a supporting member.

WILFRED A. BEAUCI-IAMP. 

